Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (Image Credit: David Richard/AP)
Going into training camp, the 2018 Cleveland Browns were said to have one of, if not the best wide receiving corps in the NFL this season. Now, it seems to be just a shell of its former self.
Many analysts looked at the Browns projected starting receivers, which at that time consisted of: Jarvis Landry, via free agency, former first round pick Corey Coleman and FINALLY an available Josh Gordon.
The Browns finally had weapons that made them a legitimate contender in the AFC North. This was the most excitement the fan base has felt going into a season since the return of the franchise for the 1999 season.
High Hopes and Hard Knocks
Have you ever ordered some banging buffalo wing? Then you got home only to find out they didn’t put the blue cheese dressing in the bag? Huge disappointment, right? Well, it wouldn’t be the Browns without some type of disappointment. It started with the team announcing Gordon would not be with the them at the start of training camp.
Thanks to HBO’s “Hard Knocks! Training Camp with the Cleveland Browns” series, we as fans got to witness the organizations’ disappointment as well.
We also got to see exactly why the fans were so excited about getting Landry as he showed out during camp. But we also saw our projected star slot receiver grossly underperform. This led to a demotion to the 2nd team offense and then an eventual trade to the Buffalo Bills.
We saw the emergence of Coleman’s possible replacement in Antonio Callaway, our 4th round pick. But he almost throw his opportunity away by not checking his vehicle after it was shipped to him.
Really Antonio? Not smart. First thing you do is get that thang detailed!!!!
Finally, we got to see to the pure elation of the organization when Gordon returned to the team just as we’re preparing to start the regular season against Pittsburgh.
A New Season Leads To A Surprise Ending
During the season opener, even in the torrential downpour at First Energy Stadium, we got to see a tiny glimpse of why everyone was excited about our new receiving corps. Jarvis was Jarvis with seven catches, including a spectacular catch where he snatched the ball just off the turf while falling backwards, right on the sidelines. Callaway unfortunately wasn’t even targeted in the game. Not sure if it was the game plan or him just not getting open. And although Gordon only had one catch, it was an amazing touchdown reception in the end zone, just inside the front pylon to tie the game at 21.
Something to build on right? I mean it won’t be raining cats and “dawgs” every game, right? We are on our way…right?
Well, once again, we are talking about the Browns! So, in true Browns fashion, GM John Dorsey released a statement Saturday afternoon stating that Gordon and his representatives were informed that he was going to be released on Monday. Latest reasons include Josh showing up late on Saturday morning with a hamstring injury, sustained during a promotional shoot, that would keep him out of this week’s matchup in New Orleans against the Saints, and according to people in the Browns facility, Josh was “not himself”! Just when you think we’re on the right track, something bad happens.
The Grind Continues In Cleveland
After six years of chance after chance, the dreams of seeing Gordon become the “guy” in Cleveland is over. For six years many Browns fans held on to the possibility that he’d get his life together off the field. The hope would be it would translate to total dominance on the field. We were given just enough from Josh to keep holding on, but the time has come to let him go and move on!
Moving forward, our receiving core will look a whole lot different than projected in training camp and it’s not as talented. But we’ll keep grinding because that’s what we do in Cleveland. It’s like being in love with the most popular girl in school…you KNOW she’s going to break your heart, but you can’t help but love her anyway!!! That’s the life of a Cleveland Browns fan!!!!
